Akyaka, a neighborhood in Muğla with the world-renowned title of “Slow City,” has once again made global headlines with an article published in the British newspaper The Guardian. Guardian writer Annabelle Thorpe described Akyaka as one of the rare coastal towns resisting mass tourism.

The Akyaka neighborhood of Muğla's Ula district, declared a ‘Slow City’ in June 2011 by the Cittaslow International Coordination Committee, attracts visitors in every season. In particular, the Kadın Azmağı stream, which flows through trees and reeds right next to Akyaka into the Gökova Bay, creates a natural aquarium-like scene. The coolness of the 1,200-meter-long stream, its underwater vegetation, fish that seem close enough to touch, and ducks gliding on the water offer a visual feast.

“Wow. Experience its beauty”

NASA shared a photo of Kadın Azmağı on its Instagram account on April 22, 2021, World Earth Day, with the caption "Wow. Experience its beauty' on Earth Day, April 22, 2021. Akyaka, Muğla's world-famous ‘Slow City’ neighborhood, where Kadın Azmağı is located, was also listed among the world's leading destinations in the ‘Best Tourism Villages’ initiative organized by the UN World Tourism Organization, thanks to its natural and cultural heritage and sustainable tourism approach. Akyaka Neighborhood was once again brought to the world's attention with an article published in the British newspaper The Guardian.

“This is Exactly Where I Want to Be”

In her column in The Guardian, writer Annabelle Thorpe described Akyaka as one of the rare coastal towns that has resisted mass tourism thanks to its unpretentious nature, slow pace of life, and strong connection to nature. Thorpe emphasized that Akyaka still offers a genuine vacation experience, summarizing the spirit of the town with a moment from her recent visit: the sight of beach chairs being gathered at sunset, restaurants preparing for evening service, and three Turkish women knitting on the shore, which she described as “this is exactly where I want to be.” Thorpe noted that Akyaka, located at the eastern end of the Gökova Bay, was not a new discovery for him, having first encountered the town about 30 years ago while working as a holiday representative. He stated that Akyaka's greatest privilege was that it had remained largely unchanged over the years.

Houses Decorated with Begonias: The Symbol of Akyaka

In his article, Thorpe wrote that despite new residences, small hotels, and expanded beaches, Akyaka still has a slow, somewhat makeshift but extremely authentic spirit, noting that this is closely related to the town's inclusion in the ‘Slow City’ network. Thorpe wrote that Turkish poet and architect Nail Çakırhan holds an important place in Akyaka's architectural identity, that Çakırhan's approach of blending traditional Ottoman architecture with local materials in the 1970s remains influential today, and that houses with wooden balconies and begonia-adorned facades have become the symbol of Akyaka.

A Peaceful Vacation Experience

Thorpe reported that the absence of large, all-inclusive hotels in Akyaka plays an important role in preserving local life, with visitors spending time at fish restaurants along the Azmak River, hiking on forest trails, and enjoying a peaceful vacation experience on the beach. Akçapınar Beach also featured prominently in Thorpe's article. It was noted that thanks to the winds that blow between May and November, the region has become one of Turkey's important centers for kite surfing and wingfoiling. It was emphasized that the shallow and sandy structure is ideal for beginners.